Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Medaryville, Indiana

The Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area is a popular vacation destination and a fun day trip from Indianapolis. Bird watching in northwest Indiana is relaxing and educational, great for Indianapolis kids. There’s something for the entire family on this outdoor adventure, from fishing to hunting and of course bird watching. Some visitors even enjoy picking berries, nuts and mushrooms. Nature lovers enjoy visiting the Tefft and Savanna Nature Preserve located on the grounds.

Bird watchers flock to the region to watch and admire the migration season. Sandhill Cranes fly south in late fall and arrive back at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in early spring. The birds typically nest in lower Canada and the Great Lakes area each summer. They migrate to Florida and Georgia to avoid the harsh Hoosier winters. November and December are peak months to witness the Sandhill Cranes’ departure to the south. A typical migration includes more than 10,000 Sandhill Cranes. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the heavy Canada goose population in the area.

Sandhill Cranes are the height of the average 10 year old child, standing four feet tall. The wingspan is a shocking seven feet wide, making them particularly fascinating to watch. A great time to sky watch for the traveling birds is around daybreak and at dusk. Another bird watching site nearby is the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, where visitors can hike up the fascinating sand dunes.

Watching the sun rise and set near Lake Michigan is especially fun during the migration season. If you get close enough to these majestic Sandhill Cranes, you’ll hear the early morning socializing and gabbing among them. The observation area of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area provides spotting scopes, giving visitors an up-close view of the birds.

The Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area is an 8,000 acre hunting ground that offers tons of gaming and fishing opportunities. The DNR also manages acres of wetland, woodland and upland, and they’re responsible for maintaining this suitable habitat.

Fishermen come to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area to catch catfish, bluegill and large mouth bass. Hunters like the area for the deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and wild turkey populations. Seasonal restrictions apply to the gaming activities, so be sure to plan ahead for this spectacular day trip.

There is no camping or swimming allowed on the grounds of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. There is no admission charge for this Indiana attraction, so that means this day trip is recession proof. It’s only located two and a half hours northwest of Indianapolis. Plan your next day trip to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, where outdoor adventures are endless.